The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-06-15
The Charge at Chickamauga.

One of the splendid battles Of the war
was that of Chattanooga In the Ct7stury
Gen. Fullerton tells the story of the firing
of the signal guns to take the rifle pits at
the base of the ridge occupied by Bragg,
and the rush of 10000 men, The general
says " The enemy were thrown into con-
fusion, and took precipitate fight up the
ridge He adds Many prisoners and
a large number of small arms were cap
| tured." And now follows clear state
ment of what the soldiers did tor them
! selves-a most instructive and brilliant
passage:
The order of the commanding general
had now been fully and most successfully
carried out. But it did not 90 far enough
to satisfy these brave men, who thought
the time had come to finish the battle of
Chickamauga. There was halt of but a
few minute, to take breath and to reform
the lines then, with a sudden impulse,
all started up the ride of the ridge. Not
| a commanding officer had given the or
der 10 advance The men who carried
the muskets had taken the matter into
their own hands, had moved of their own
accord. Officers, catching their spirit,
first followed, then led There was no
thought of protecting TANKS. though the
enemy's line could be seen stretching be-
yond on eithersde there wasno thought
of support or reserves
" As soon as this movement was seen
from Orchard Knob Grant quickly turn
ed to Thomas, who stood by his side, and
! heard him angrily say Thomas, who
ordered those men up the ridgep Thomas
replied in his usual slow, quiet manner
i don't know; did not Then, address
ing Gen. Gordon Granger, he said Did
you order them up, Ganger?' No. said
Granger they started up without or
ders When.those fellows getstarted, all
hell can't stop them Gen. Grant said |
something TO the effect that somebody !
would suffer if il did not turn out well, |
and then, turning round, stoically watch |
ed the ridge. He gave no further or
ders.
AS soon as Granger had replied to
Thomas he turned to me, his chief of |
staff, and said Ride at once to Wood,
and taen TO Sheridan and ask them if
they ordered.their men up the ridge and
tell them, if they can take it, 10 push
ahead As | was mounting Granger add
ed II is hot over there, and you may
not get through | shall send Capt. Avery
to Sheridan, and other officers after both
of you As fast as my horse could carry
me | rode first TO Gen Woodland deliver
ed the message didn't order them
up said Wood they started npon their
own account, and they are going up, too.
Tell Granger, if we are supported, we viii
take and hold the ridgep As soon as /
reached Gen. Wood Capt. Avery got to
Gen. Sheridan and delivered his message.
l didn't order them up said Sheridan,
but we are going to take the ridge He
then asked Avery for his flask, and wav-
ed it at a group of Confederate officers
standing just in front of Bragg's head
quarters, with the salutation, Here's at
youp At once two guns-the Lady Breek
snridge and the Lady Buckner-in front
of Bragg's headquarters were fired at
and the group of officers about
nim. One shell struck 10 near as to
hrow dirt over Sheridan and Avery.
Ah,' said the General, that is ungener-
rus shall take those guns for that
md he did, and good many more,
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